Vice-President Kashim Shettima has called for Africa to pursue home-grown solutions as the surest path to economic growth, development and shared prosperity across the continent.
New Ageny of Nigeria reported that Shettima made the call while speaking at a High-Level Accra Reset Initiative meeting held on the sidelines of the ongoing 2026 World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland.
He described the Accra Reset Initiative as a bold effort to redefine Africa’s future through African-led cooperation anchored on sovereignty and self-determination.
According to him, the initiative represents both a call to action and a mindset shift for African nations, “from dependency to dignity, from aid to investment, from rhetoric to results.
“It is a call to prosper together. And I am confident that if we answer this call, the world will witness an African boom built not on the sands of commodity cycles, but on the bedrock of innovation, industry, and interdependence.”
Shettima stressed that sustainable prosperity could only be achieved through the development of domestic productive capacity, noting that Africa must turn its population strength and natural endowments into resilient wealth.
He said prosperity should not be expected to come from outside, insisting that “it must be homegrown and earned.”
The vice-president observed that Africa was no longer on the margins of global affairs but had become central to the world’s demographic and economic future.
Citing Nigeria as an example, Shettima said the Dangote Refinery was gradually positioning the country as a major exporter of refined fuel, demonstrating what is possible when African capital aligns with industrial ambition.
“Africa cannot rise on applause alone. We rise when we build. After decades as a net importer of value, Nigeria is on the verge of becoming a net exporter of refined fuel, powered by Africa’s largest refinery in Lagos, Nigeria: the Dangote Refinery.
“This is what happens when African capital meets industrial ambition. This implies that Nations move from price takers to value makers when production is matched with infrastructure and policy clarity.”
He acknowledged the decline in Africa’s manufacturing contribution to GDP, which fell from 16 percent in 1980 to below 10 percent by 2016, but said the continent chose innovation over retreat.
“Even as manufacturing’s share of Africa’s GDP fell from 16 percent in 1980 to under 10 percent by 2016, we chose not to retreat but to leapfrog.”
Shettima highlighted the role of modular factories, artificial intelligence and robotics, stating that Africa has the potential to industrialise faster than ever before.
According to him, the era in which Africa was “known only for what it digs or grows” is giving way to one where the continent will be recognised for what it builds.
He also noted the economic power of the African diaspora, recalling that remittances reached about $95 billion in 2024, accounting for more than five percent of Africa’s GDP and roughly matching total foreign direct investment.
”That is not charity. This is why we are also championing free movement across Africa because mobility is a competitive advantage in a world where human capital is the most precious resource.
”Let skills and ideas flow as freely as goods and capital, and prosperity will follow.”
Reflecting on Nigeria’s experience, Shettima said the country had learned that sustainable wealth cannot be imported.
“The experience has been shaped by a simple lesson, that ‘prosperity is not imported; it is built,’” he said, adding that the country had “seen the prosperity paradox up close.”
”Markets and talent exist, yet resilience remains thin until demand is translated into domestic capability.
”This means firms that produce, meet standards, and compete globally. Wealth given from outside is fragile. Wealth created from within is enduring.
“Nigeria’s own market of over 200 million people has taught us that latent demand means little unless we cultivate local supply.
”Only by building domestic productive capacity can we convert our population and natural endowments into real, resilient wealth. Prosperity cannot be parachuted in – it must be homegrown and earned.”
Also speaking, Ghanaian President John Mahama said the Accra Reset Initiative, first unveiled at the last United Nations General Assembly in New York, was designed as a practical response to concerns among Africa’s youth about the continent’s future in a changing global order.
He said the initiative was not another declaration or wish list, but “a practical answer to a question millions of young Africans are asking about the continent’s future and response in changing global order.”
Mahama urged African leaders to strengthen cooperation and synergy, noting that although no formal name has been given to the emerging global system, Africa must play an active role in shaping it.
”Africa intends to be at the table in determining what that new global order will look like.”
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo said Africa must chart a clear path forward amid global disruption and uncertainty, stressing that the Accra Reset Initiative was meant to inspire leaders to act.
”The Accra Reset Initiative has come to inspire leaders to stop complaining about the system that has changed or is changing, and to build a way through it.”
Former Vice-President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo said the forum was aimed at rallying support for African governments to rethink economic strategies and address the challenges confronting their people.
